ESPN.com - Instant analysis: OU 51, OSU 48

ESPN.com: Oklahoma Sooners

Saturday, November 24, 2012
Instant analysis: OU 51, OSU 48

By Brandon Chatmon

It was the definition of Bedlam. No. 13 Oklahoma defeated No. 21 Oklahoma State 51-48 in overtime at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Sooners kept their Big 12 championship hopes alive with clutch plays down the stretch. Here’s how it happened:

It was over when: Brennan Clay ended the game with a 18-yard touchdown gallop in overtime. The Sooners' running game was very average for most of the night but after OU’s defense forced OSU to settle for a field goal on the Cowboys' lone overtime drive, Clay punched in the winning score.

Stat of the game: 103. That's the total number of plays the Sooners' offense ran against the Pokes. It was obvious in the overtime period as OU needed just two running plays before ending the game with Clay's touchdown run.

Game ball goes to: Landry Jones. For the second straight week, Jones came up big when OU needed him. The senior led the Sooners on a game-tying touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter that was capped off by a 4-yard Blake Bell run. Jones finished 46-of-71 for 500 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.

Unsung hero of the game: Bell. He capped off Jones' late drive with a tough touchdown run on fourth down with less than five seconds remaining in the game. If Bell doesn't weave his way into the end zone with a combination of vision and toughness, the Sooners lose.

What it means: Oklahoma's hopes for a Big 12 title remain alive. Kansas State would have to lose to Texas for the Sooners to take the conference outright but if the Sooners win against TCU on Dec. 1, they'll grab a share of the Big 12 title.

What Oklahoma learned: The Sooners learned they need to have a better plan for stopping teams that spread them out then run the football. Baylor, West Virginia and OSU have run all over OU's defense in three straight weeks. For OU to win another Big 12 title anytime in the future, it will have to find answers to its problems stopping the run.

What Oklahoma State learned: Maybe Clint Chelf should have been starting all season. The junior is the most experienced quarterback on the roster and he handled tough road environments at Kansas State and OU like a veteran should.